December 2009 - 4th Round of the Youth Sector Development Fund
Schools Minister Iain Wright has invited third sector organisations to bid for a share of up to £10m to raise the aspirations of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.The fourth round of the Youth Sector Development Fund (YSDF) will focus on supporting the aims of the Government’s Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Strategy published last month.
Bids should demonstrate how young people would be imaginatively shown the full range of options open to them in education and work, such as through “taster sessions” at universities or real experience of different careers.
Around 25 third-sector organisations are expected to benefit from the fund, through a mixture of grants and business support, from April 2010 to March 2011.
He said:
“Many organisations in the third sector are already working with disadvantaged young people and parents in innovative ways that challenge negative stereotypes and raise aspirations.
“Today I am inviting these organisations to build on that experience and to develop exciting new approaches so that young people and parents get the impartial information, advice and guidance about learning and work opportunities that they need, including experiencing those routes at first hand.
“In particular I want to see proposals which will help young people and their families with low aspirations and capture their imagination through exciting forms of work experience, ‘tasters’ and work-related learning, and increase support through mentoring."
Further information and an application pack for the 4th Round can be found via this link
If you feel that this round is not suitable for you, but you know an organisation that would benefit from this fund, please forward this email.
Pre-application workshops to give further information on the programme and guidance on completing the application form will be held as follows:
London: 15th December 2009
Leeds: 16th December 2009
Attendance at one of the workshops is strongly recommended. One place per organisation is available. To book yours, please email ysdf@ecotec.com stating clearly which of the above sessions you wish to attend and any special access requirements you may have.